Meshach P. Larry: Civil War Letters

Meshach P. Larry letter, Oct. 18, 1863

Writing to his sister Phebe, Larry describes a soldier who died of illness and the difficulty of getting his body returned to Maine.

He comments on a skirmish with Confederate cavalry and the "unpleasent sight of the shooting of a deserter" near Fairfax Station, Virginia.

Larry wrote, "he had deserted 3 times and once he went over to the enemy and told them where our trains laid so that they might capture them, he was escorted to his grave by a band of musick playing the sad strain of the death march..."

After further description of the execution, Larry adds, "life is sweet but we know we must all of us die then why not die a glourious death wen there is so many chances to do so."

He wrote of the war, "...If the Rebs do not trouble us I think the Dogs of War will be put in their kenels this winter some where in this vicinity."